Sources in the state election commission said that while deciding the number of phases, the poll panel considers factors like geography, movement of the central forces (as per requirement), and number of constituencies. maharashtra has the second highest number of lok sabha seats (48) after Uttar Pradesh (80). The five districts of Ramtek, Nagpur, Bhandara Gondia, Gadchiroli Chimur, and Chandrapur in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region will see voting in the first phase on april 19. The second phase on april 26 will have voting in the remaining districts from Vidarbha, like Buldana, Akola, Amaravati, Wardha, and Yavatmal, aside from a few districts of Marathwada region like Washim, Hingoli, Nanded, and Parbhani.

The third phase on May 7, will witness polling in the remaining districts of the Marathwada region like Dharashiv and Latur apart from Konkan region seats such as Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and Raigad. Voting in western maharashtra has also been planned in this phase, including in Baramati, Solapur, Madha, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, and Hatkangale.